'Kissing the ring of a murderer': Czech leaders slam Slovak PM's Putin visit

Czech government coalition politicians have sharply criticized Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico’s visit to the Kremlin in Russia on Sunday, with some calling it a dangerous move for both Slovakia and its allies. In contrast, opposition leaders in Czechia, including the ANO party and Freedom and Direct Democracy, took a more neutral stance.

Prime Minister Fiala distanced himself from Fico following the meeting, saying that the Czech government’s decision earlier this year to suspend intergovernmental consultations between the Czech Republic and Slovakia had been “prudent.” 

Czech Foreign Affairs Minister Jan Lipavský slammed Fico’s visit, emphasizing that Czechia was on its own course to gain independence from Russian energy supplies "so that we do not have to grovel before a mass murderer".

Pavel Fischer, head of the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee, called the visit "a crazy idea." He warned that Fico’s talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin endangered not only Slovakia but also its regional allies, including Czechia. Fischer condemned Fico for risking European security, describing the visit as a threat to Slovakia's sovereignty and regional stability.

He also criticized Slovakia for failing to honor its 2022 EU commitment to reduce reliance on Russian energy. "Slovakia agreed to reduce its dependence on Russian gas and oil, but while Czechia has succeeded in breaking free from this dangerous dependency, Slovakia has not taken action," he added.

Other government officials echoed Fischer’s concerns. Chamber of Deputies Speaker Markéta Pekarová Adamová dismissed Fico’s visit as not worth commenting on.  Danuse Nerudová, a Czech MEP from the junior coalition Mayors and Independents party, called Fico’s actions "a betrayal," accusing him of serving Russian interests by "kissing the ring of a mass murderer in the Kremlin."

 Veronika Vrecionová, a senior MEP from the Civic Democrats, similarly criticized Fico for "bowing down" to Putin, calling it a futile gesture that only benefits Russia.

Fico’s visit comes amid rising concerns over energy security. He is in Russia to negotiate securing natural gas supplies after Ukraine announced it would halt the transit of Russian gas through its territory at the start of the new year. Slovakia, which receives gas from Russia’s Gazprom, has expressed concern about the potential disruption.

Karel Havlíček, deputy chairman of the Czech ANO party, offered a more reserved response, acknowledging Slovakia’s sovereignty in managing its energy needs. While he stated he would not personally visit Moscow, he refrained from criticizing Slovakia’s decision. 

Tomio Okamura, leader of the opposition SPD, suggested that negotiations with Putin were preferable to insults, noting Slovakia’s need for reliable gas supplies.